Ten years incidence of natural rubber latex sensitization and symptoms in a prospective cohort of health care workers using non-powdered latex gloves 2000–2009

Objectives

To assess the incidence of sensitization and gloves-related symptoms in 10-year follow-up in a group of health care workers (9,660 person-years) using non-powdered latex gloves from 2000 to 2009 and to examine related factors.

Materials and methods

We studied 2,053 health care workers in Trieste Hospitals by means of skin prick test for latex extract, patch tests and medical examinations. We report the incidence of latex sensitization among workers using non-powdered latex gloves.

Results

The incidence of latex sensitization, rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis were 1.0; 0.12; 0.21; 0.72; 2.39 and 2.50 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Respiratory symptoms and urticaria were positively related with latex sensitization (OR = 8.0; 95 % CL 1.27–48.6), with common allergic respiratory symptoms (OR = 4.19; 95 % CL 1.04–16.8) and with familial atopy (OR = 4.47; 95 % CL 1.1–17.9).

Conclusion

The incidence of latex sensitization and latex-related symptoms were very low but subjects with allergic symptoms related to common allergens are at higher risk. The use of non-latex gloves is suggested for them.     

Sexual Risks and Policing among Male Migrant and Non-migrant Market Vendors in Central Asia

The following study examined associations between sexual risk behaviors and policing among external migrant, internal migrant, and non-migrant male market workers in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Negative binomial regression and logistic regressions examined associations between sexual risk behaviors and policing (questioning by market officials and migration police, and arrest) for 1342 external, internal, and non-migrant workers recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were stratified by migration status. External migrants were more likely than non-migrants to experience questioning by market officials (IRR = 2.07, p<0.01), migration police (IRR = 3.60, p<0.001), and arrest (OR = 5.32, p<0.001). When stratified by migration status, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (IRR = 3.04, p<0.01) and sex with men (IRR = 2.71, p<0.05) were associated with being questioned or harassed by market police among external migrants. External migrant who reported having more than one sex partner while traveling were also more likely to report being arrested than external migrants (OR = 3.92, p<0.05). Meeting HIV prevention needs of labor migrants demands acknowledging the role of policing and allocating sufficient resources to support the implementation of HIV prevention programs in these settings.     

Gingivitis,increased probing depth,clinical attachment loss and tooth loss among patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease: a case-control study

Aim

To perform a comprehensive analysis of the association between periodontal status and end-stage chronic kidney disease (ESCKD).

Subjects and methods

Forty-five ESCKD and 26 healthy patients were clinically evaluated. The visible plaque index (VPI), gingival bleeding index (GBI) and community periodontal index were obtained from all patients. In addition, the association among gingivitis, increased probing depth, clinical attachment loss and edentulism with ESCKD was statistically assessed (chi-square test, p < 0.05). An additional Student’s t-test (p < 0.05) was performed to evaluate the differences in VPI and GBI between both groups of patients.

Results

ESCKD was strongly associated with gingivitis (p = 0.002, OR = 8.76, 95% CI = 1.84-41.71), increased probing depth (p < 0.001, OR = 17.44, 95% CI = 4.14-72.33), clinical attachment loss (p < 0.001, OR = 5.59, 95% CI = 3.00-10.41) and edentulism (p = 0.013, OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.14-3.35). Moreover, patients with ESCKD had increased VPI and GBI (p < 0.05) compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusion

Within the limits of this study, it was concluded that ESCKD patients showed greater plaque accumulation and a higher risk of presenting periodontal diseases compared to healthy subjects.

     

An evaluation of the prevalence of latex sensitivity among atopic and non-atopic intensive care workers

Background Exposure to latex is known to cause an array of symptoms, including pruritus, dermatitis, erythema, and urticaria. Workers at elevated risk for latex exposure include health care personnel whose repeated patient contact or surgical work require extensive use of latex gloves. This study evaluated the prevalence of latex allergies in atopic and non-atopic intensive care workers and sought to determine the impact of risk factors such as frequency of glove use and hand washing on latex sensitization. Methods We evaluated the prevalence of latex sensitivity in 122 intensive care unit (ICU) workers using a questionnaire and skin prick test. Atopy and latex sensitivity were determined by skin prick test using a battery of common inhalant allergens and an extract prepared from the gloves used in the ICU. Frequency of glove use and hand washing were determined by questionnaire. Results and Conclusions Forty ICU workers (32.8%) were considered atopic by having at least one positive response to the inhalant allergens. Atopic ICU workers were more likely to have positive latex skin test than non-atopic ICU workers (atopic vs. non-atopic workers: p < 0.001, odds ratio = 14.2). Frequency of current glove use or hand washing frequency were not significant predictors of a positive response to latex; however, a positive history of atopic eczema and family history of allergies, as determined by questionnaire were significant predictors of a positive response to latex antigens. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:359–363, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

HIV/AIDS risk perception and behavior of college students of the Metekel Zone,Benishangul Gumuz regional state,Ethiopia

Sexual and reproductive health problems are the main causes of death, disability and disease among young people in the world, particularly in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) risk perception and behavior, and factors associated with risk perception, among college students of the Metekel Zone, Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used. The data were collected using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire, were entered into EPI INFO version 6 and exported into Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 for analysis. Variables with p < 0.02 in the bivariate logistic regression were entered to multivariate logistic regression and variables with p < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Three hundred and eighty-eight students were participated. Total 43% of respondents (50.70% males and 34.10% females) had had sex. About 48.81% of the sexually active respondents reported that they had had sexual intercourse with two or more partners. About 16.49% of study participants perceived themselves at risk of getting HIV/AIDS and the most frequently, cited reasons for perceiving oneself at risk were having sex without a condom, having multiple sexual partners and having sex with commercial sex workers (CSW). Chewing khat (adjusted OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.45?8.63); being willing to undergo voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) (adjusted OR = 4. 30, 95% CI: 1.09?16.88); having seen a person infected/dead of HIV (adjusted OR = 4.23, 95% CI: 1.36?13.13) and having multiple sexual partners (adjusted OR = 6.10, 95% CI: 2.40?15.44) were significantly associated with HIV risk perception. The risk perception of HIV/AIDS among the college students was low despite their involvement in different risky sexual behaviors. The government should use mass media techniques, such as television, radio, mobile services and posters to spread information on HIV transmission prevention among college students, especially information on the importance of condom use, minimizing the number of sexual partners and VCT. College administrations need to disseminate information through special lectures, and group discussions about khat chewing, HIV/AIDS and VCT.     

Communication Predictors of Patient and Companion Satisfaction with Alzheimer’s Genetic Risk Disclosure

The objective of this study was to identify how features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) genetic risk disclosure communication relate to patient and visit companion satisfaction. We conducted secondary analyses of 79 session recordings from the fourth REVEAL Study, a randomized-controlled trial of AD genetic risk disclosure among patients with mild cognitive impairment. Patient and companion satisfaction were ascertained from postdisclosure surveys. The Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) was used to code triadic communication between the counselor, patient, and companion. High satisfaction was evident for 24% of patients (N = 19) and 48% of companions (N = 38). Multivariate logistic regressions showed that high patient satisfaction was associated with patients’ expression of emotions (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.1) and companions’ questions about psychosocial and lifestyle topics (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.8). High companion satisfaction was positively related to the RIAS overall patient-centeredness score for the session (OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.0–15.6) (all p-values <0.05). Communication predictors of patient and companion satisfaction reflect specific or summary indicators of patient-centeredness. Findings also suggest that visit companions positively influence patient satisfaction. The study results support the growing literature and policy attention directed toward delivering family-centered care.     

Correlates of High Perceived Stress Among Pregnant Hispanic Women in Western Massachusetts

Prenatal psychosocial stress has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, even after controlling for known risk factors. This paper aims to evaluate correlates of high perceived stress among Hispanic women, a group with elevated rates of stress during pregnancy. We conducted this analysis among 1,426 pregnant Hispanic women using data from Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort study conducted in Western Massachusetts. Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) validated in English and Spanish was administered in early (mean = 12.4 weeks gestation), mid (mean = 21.3 weeks gestation) and late (mean = 30.8 weeks gestation) pregnancy at which time bilingual interviewers collected data on socio-demographic, acculturation, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. High perceived stress was defined as a PSS score >30. Young maternal age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.6; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.4–0.9 for <19 vs. 19–23 years), pre-pregnancy consumption of alcohol (OR = 2.2; 95 % CI 1.4–3.5 for >12 drinks/month vs. none) and smoking (OR = 2.2; 95 % CI 1.3–3.7 for >10 cigarettes/day vs. none) were associated with high perceived stress during early pregnancy. Furthermore, higher annual household income (OR = 0.4; 95 % CI 0.1–0.9 for >$30,000 vs. <$15,000), greater number of adults in the household (OR = 1.8; 95 % CI 1.1–3.0 for ≥3 vs. 1) and language preference (OR = 0.6; 95 % CI 0.4–0.9 for Spanish vs. English) were associated with high stress during mid-pregnancy. Likewise, annual household income was inversely associated with high stress during late pregnancy. Our results have important implications for incorporation of routine screening for psychosocial stress during prenatal visits and implementation of psychosocial counseling services for women at high risk.     

Latex symptoms and sensitisation in health care workers

Background: Natural rubber latex has become an important occupational health concern, particularly among health care workers, who for protection are required to wear latex gloves when at work. This study evaluated the prevalence of latex-related symptoms and sensitisation among a large group of health care workers in Trieste hospitals. Methods: We evaluated the prevalence of latex-related symptoms in 1,165 health care workers, by means of a questionnaire, a medical examination, skin prick tests and IgE-specific evaluation. We determined atopy and latex sensitivity by skin prick tests using a battery of common inhalant allergens, a commercial latex extract (Lofarma Allergeni, Milan) and individual skin puncture tests for each of the vegetables immunologically related to latex (potato, tomato, chestnut, banana, kiwi fruit). Associations between potential risk factors for latex allergy were assessed. Results: Glove-related symptoms were noticed on 17.2% of the nurses (200) the majority of symptoms being mild dermatitis with itching and erythema (120 subjects, 11.1%). Symptoms suggestive of IgE-mediated latex allergy were found in 51 subjects: 35 (3%) complained of contact urticaria and 16 (2.2%) complained of asthma and/or rhinitis. The resulting symptoms were significantly related to skin prick tests that were positive to latex (odds ratio (OR)=11.89; 6.40–22.2), to personal atopy (OR=2.15; 1.47–3.12), to familiar atopy (OR=2.12; 1.48–3.03), to skin prick test positivity to related fruit (OR=2.01; 1.16–3.46) but not to prick test positivity to common inhalant allergens (OR=1.00; 0.71–1.39). Symptoms increased as a direct function of the time-usage of latex gloves and were more prevalent in operating room staff. Conclusion: In this large cross-sectional study, glove-related symptoms and latex skin sensitisation appear to be substantial among health care workers, and are related to common signs of atopy. We stress the need of preventive measures to avoid latex exposure when health care workers are at risk of developing allergy symptoms. Received: 18 May 2000 / Accepted: 1 November 2000     

Prevalence and risk factors of occupational hand dermatoses in electronics workers

The electronics industry is becoming an important mainstream in the workforce in some developed countries and in Taiwan. Among patients with occupational hand dermatitis in northern Taiwan, workers from electronics industries were one of the most important groups. We conducted a field investigation to determine the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of occupational hand dermatoses among electronics workers. The survey was conducted in five electronics plants using a self-administered questionnaire on skin symptoms and risk factors. Skin examination and patch testing were followed for those with symptoms compatible with hand dermatitis. A total of 3070 workers completed the questionnaire. Among them, 302 (9.8%) reported to have symptoms (itching and with either redness/scaling) compatible with contact dermatitis on hands. Hand dermatitis was associated with working in the fabrication unit and personal history of atopy and metal allergy, as well as the following job titles: wafer bonding, cutting, printing/photomasking, softening/degluing, impregnation and tin plating. Among those with reported hand dermatitis, 183 completed skin examination and patch testing, 65/183 (35.5%) were diagnosed as having irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) and 7/183 (3.8%) allergic contact dermatitis. The most important allergens were nickel, cobalt and phenylenediamine. In conclusion, Taiwanese electronics workers have a high risk of having hand dermatitis, especially ICD. Preventive efforts should be focused on the workers with risk factors or at certain worksites.     

Occupational skin hazards and prevalence of occupational skin diseases in shoe manufacturing workers in Indonesia

Purpose

Shoe manufacturing workers are exposed daily to an extensive range of potential physical and chemical occupational hazards. Shoe manufacturing in Indonesia is one of the industrial sectors that has shown sustained growth amongst the newly industrialized countries (NICs). In this study, we investigated the possible potential exposure of the workers to physical and occupational hazards and determined the prevalence of occupational skin diseases at a shoe manufacturing factory in Indonesia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study on the observation of the working process and an inventory and risk assessment of exposure to the chemicals used. Classification of chemicals as potential sensitizers/irritants and qualitative assessments of these chemicals were done. Workers were examined and interviewed using the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire-2002/LONG.

Results

The risk of Occupational skin diseases (OSD) at the shoe factory was mainly related to the exposure of the workers’ skin to potential physical and chemical hazards in hot and humid environmental conditions. From a total of 514 workers, 8.5 % reported current OSD and 4.8 % reported a history of OSD. Occupational skin diseases were diagnosed in 29 % of the workers by dermatologists and 7.6 % had an occupational contact dermatitis (OCD). Of the 39 workers with contact dermatitis, 33 consented to being patch tested, 14 (3 %) workers showed a positive results and considered as having an occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD) and 25 (4.9 %) had an occupational irritant contact dermatitis (OICD).

Conclusion

We observed a repeated and prolonged exposure of the workers to numerous physical and chemical skin hazards at this factory.     

Overlapping intimate partner violence and sex trading among high-risk women: Implications for practice

Despite research indicating higher than average rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) across groups of vulnerable women, less is known about the prevalence and types of IPV experienced by women who trade sex for money, drugs, shelter or food, a high risk group for poor health and psychosocial outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design and multivariate logistic regression analyses, this study examined the relationship between IPV and sex trading in a convenience sample of 346 HIV-negative, drug-involved women in relationships, recruited during 2005–2010 in New York City. About 41% and 36% of participants reported lifetime and recent IPV, respectively, by their main partner, with significant differences by recent engagement in sex trading (p < 0.01). Results of multivariate analyses indicated that sex trading was associated with recent severe physical or sexual IPV (OR = 3.07, p < 0.01) and that depression, having ever been married, child sexual abuse, and income were associated with IPV (p < 0.05). Women who reported childhood sexual abuse and recent sex trading had a 7.37 higher odds (p < 0.01) for reporting severe physical or sexual IPV compared to those who reported neither. Findings highlight the need to expand screening and interventions among women who trade sex.     

Relationship of perceived job strain and workplace support to antenatal depressive symptoms among pregnant employees in Taiwan

Most Taiwanese women continue to work throughout pregnancy. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms in employed women and their relationship with work-related factors. We explored the relations of work-related factors, including perceived job strain and workplace support, to depressive symptoms among pregnant Taiwanese employees. During 2015–2016, we interviewed 153 employees in their third trimester of pregnancy using questionnaires to collect data on demographics, pregnancy status, physical conditions, work-related factors, family function, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms, based on EPDS scores≥13, was 13.7%. Pregnant employees with depressive symptoms had lower Family APGAR scores (p < 0.0001) and lower scores on all scales of the HRQoL (p < 0.05). Controlling for covariates, work-related feelings of stress and distress were associated with increased odds of antenatal depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 4.7, 95% confidence Interval [95% CI] = 1.3–19.9). Feeling tired at work (OR = 9.1, 95% CI = 2.3–47.0) and lack of support from colleagues (OR = 16.7, 95% CI = 2.9–53.1) were significantly associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. Such information will facilitate implementation of supportive workplace climates for pregnant employees by employers, supervisors, and occupational and environmental health nurses, which may help improve the health of pregnant employees.     

Alteration of thiol-disulfide homeostasis in workers occupationally exposed to arsenic

This study evaluates the redox state in occupationally arsenic-exposed workers (n = 71) by assessing the dynamic serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis. We determined the serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis parameters of exposed workers and controls (n = 43) using a novel automated colorimetric assay. Median urinary As and 8-isoprostane levels of exposed group were significantly higher than control group (16.40 μg/L vs 2μg/L, p < .001 and 2.28 ng/ml vs 0.54 ng/ml, p < .001, respectively). Disulfide level, disulfide/native thiol ratio, and disulfide/total thiol ratio were significantly higher in exposed group. The mean ceruloplasmine and myeloperoxidase activities of As-exposed group were significantly higher than control group (117.15 U/L vs 87.02 U/L, p = .035 and 148.53 U/L vs 97.75 U/L, p = .000, respectively). The median catalase activity did not differ in the two groups. Our findings revealed that As disrupts the thiol-disulfide homeostasis in favor of disulfide.     

Effects of different open cryo-carriers on embryo survival and clinical outcome in frozen embryo transfer cycle patients

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of different open cryo-carriers: the CryoloopTM, CryotopTM, and CryoleafTM, in embryo survival and clinical outcome in patients with frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. We analyzed the embryo survival rate and clinical outcome in 325 patients of 348 FET cycles vitrified with the CryoloopTM (160 cycles), CryotopTM (105 cycles), or CryoleafTM (83 cycles). No significant differences were observed in embryo survival rate (98.8% vs. 100% vs. 97.7%, p > 0.05), HCG positive rate (58.8% vs. 63.8% vs. 57.8%, p > 0.05), biochemical pregnancy rate (6.9% vs. 11.4% vs. 9.6%, p > 0.05), or implantation rate (33.2% vs. 37.4% vs. 34.1%, p > 0.05) in the three groups respectively. The early abortion rate of the CryoloopTM group was significantly higher than that of the CryotopTM and CryoleafTM group (27.1% vs. 3.6% and 7.5%, p < 0.05). At the same time, the average female age of the CryoloopTM group was significantly older by 1 year than that of the CryotopTM and CryoleafTM group (33.29 ± 4.71 years vs. 31.96 ± 4.27 years and 31.1 ± 4.28 years, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in take home baby rate (38.1% vs. 46.7% vs. 43.4, p > 0.05) or birth weight among the groups (2893.5 ± 780.8 g vs. 2778.4 ± 710.0 g vs. 2724.5 ± 838.8 g, p > 0.05). No case of neonatal malformation was observed in the present study. Overall, CryotopTM and CryoleafTM were effective for embryo vitrification at both the cleavage and blastocyst stage according to the results of clinical outcome and infant characteristics. However, CryoloopTM led to a decreased positive HCG rate and increased early abortion rate, heightened at the cleavage stage.

Abbreviations: LN₂: liquid nitrogen; CPA: cryoprotectant; ART: assisted reproductive technology; IVF: in vitro fertilization; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; BMI: body mass index; FSH: follicular stimulation hormone; COH: controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; FET: frozen embryo transfer; mm: millimeter; HCG: human chorionic gonadotropin; RCT: randomized clinical trial; NC: natural cycle; AC: artificial cycle; EM: equilibration medium; DMSO: dimethyl sulphoxide; EG: ethylene glycol; VM: vitrification medium; WM: warming medium     

Nutritional Status and Related Factors in Elderly Nursing Home Residents: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Migrants and Native Germans

Former guest workers in Germany who stayed on after retirement are now older than 70 years. Nursing homes (NH) are broadening their offer to meet specific requirements of this population. The nutritional status and related problems of the older ethnic minority group living in German NH has so far not been investigated. The aim of this study was, thus, to compare the nutritional situation of older migrants to that of native residents in two “multicultural” NH (cross-sectional study). All residents 65 years and older with a migration background were enrolled and compared to nonmigrants using frequency matching for age and gender. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI; cut-off for undernourishment: BMI < 22 kg/m²) and calf circumference (CC; CC < 31 cm). Care staff completed a questionnaire on residents' health. Consecutive 3-day food records were evaluated to analyze the intake of energy, macro-, and micronutrients.

Participants were n = 23 migrants (76 ± 6 years, 52% female) and n = 37 nonmigrants (78 ± 7 years, 59% female). Undernourishment was more prevalent in migrants according to BMI (39 vs. 11%; P < 0.05) and CC (57 vs. 22%; P < 0.05). Main nutritional problems in both groups were “loss of appetite” (56 vs. 19%; P < 0.05) and “refusal to eat” (56 vs. 25%; P < 0.05). Energy intake was low (6.4 ± 1.4, 6.8 ± 1.6 MJ/d). More than 50% of participants fell below recommended values for vitamin C, B₁, B₆, D, folate, calcium, and iron; 61% of the migrants had a low vitamin B₁₂ intake. Migrant NH residents were more often undernourished than German NH residents.     

Occupational skin diseases in Czech healthcare workers from 1997 to 2009

Background

The healthcare sector ranked in second place among economic sectors in the Czech Republic, with about 11.4 % of all occupational diseases in 2009. Skin diseases constituted about 20 % of all occupational diseases.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze the causes and trends in allergic and irritant-induced skin diseases in the healthcare sector.

Methods

The data concerning occupational skin diseases (Chapter IV of the Czech List of Occupational Diseases, non-infectious skin illnesses) in the healthcare sector were analyzed from the Czech National Registry of Occupational Diseases from 1997 until 2009. The trends in the total counts and most frequent causes were evaluated.

Results

During the past 13 years, a total of 545 skin diseases were acknowledged in healthcare workers. Allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 464 (85 %), irritant contact dermatitis in 71 (13 %) and contact urticaria in 10 subjects (2 %). Ninety-five percent of the patients were females. The overall incidence in individual years varied between 1.0 and 2.9 cases per 10,000 full-time employees per year. Disinfectants were the most frequent chemical agents causing more than one third of all allergic skin diseases (38 %), followed by rubber components (32 %) and cleaning agents (10 %).

Conclusion

A general downward trend of diagnosed cases of occupational skin diseases in heath care workers in the Czech Republic over the past 13 years was demonstrated.     

Effect of exposure to detergents and other chemicals on biomarkers of pulmonary response in exhaled breath from hospital cleaners: a pilot study

Purpose

The main aim of the study was to provide evidence whether professional cleaning was associated with biomarkers of lung damage in non-invasively collected biological fluids (exhaled air and exhaled breath condensate—EBC).

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study involved 40 cleaners regularly exposed to cleaning detergents and 40 controls. The subjects completed a standard questionnaire from European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) and underwent a spirometry. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (F_ENO) was measured online, and pH, ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), H₂O₂ and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) were assayed in EBC.

Results

Among the cleaners, the frequency of asthma and rhinitis was, respectively, 2.5 and 20%. The most frequently reported symptoms were sneezing (27.5%), nasal and/or pharyngeal pruritus (25%), ocular pruritus (22.5%) and cough (22.5%). There were no significant differences in comparison with the control group. Median F_ENO levels were higher in African than in Caucasian cleaners (21.5 [16.5–30.0] ppb and 18.0 [13.5–20.5] ppb; p < 0.05). H₂O₂-EBC (0.26 [0.09–0.53] μM vs. 0.07 [0.04–0.15] μM; p < 0.01), NH₄ ⁺-EBC (857 [493–1,305] μM vs. 541 [306–907] μM; p < 0.01) and pH-EBC (8.17 [8.09–8.24] vs. 8.06 [7.81–8.10]; p < 0.01) were higher in the cleaners than in the controls. Finally, the cleaners showed significant correlations between pH-EBC and NH₄ ⁺-EBC (r = 0.33, p < 0.05) and a weak correlation between 4-HNE-EBC and H₂O₂-EBC (r = 0.37, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The promising role of EBC analysis in biomonitoring of exposed workers was confirmed. It was also possible to identify the potential biomarkers of exposure to alkaline products (increased ammonium-EBC and pH-EBC levels) and potential biomarkers of oxidative stress (increased H₂O₂-EBC levels correlated with 4-HNE-EBC levels) in workers with no signs of airway diseases.

     

Nonmedical information seeking amid conflicting health information: negative and positive effects on prostate cancer screening

This study investigates the impact of seeking information about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test on men’s PSA test use during a period of conflicting recommendations. Analyses used longitudinal survey data collected in 2005 and 2006 from a nationally representative sample of U.S. males aged 40–70 years (n = 777). Cross-sectionally, nonmedical information seeking was significantly associated with increased odds of having a PSA test in the past year (Time 1 odds ratio [OR] = 9.74, p < .01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.37, 21.70; Time 2 OR = 5.78, p < .01, 95% CI = 3.17, 10.55). However, lagged analyses showed that among men who had a PSA at Time 1, active seeking is associated with reduced odds of later having a PSA test (OR = 0.33, p < .05, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.85). Participants who had not had a PSA test in the past year very rarely sought information about PSA tests. Information acquisition in an environment of conflicting recommendations may influence adoption of cancer screening behaviors.     

Clinician disparities in anxiety and trauma screening among children with ADHD: A pilot study

The objective of this study was to determine the rate of clinician screening for anxiety disorders or trauma when diagnosing childhood ADHD and investigate the roles of clinical setting and clinician discipline. Data were retrospectively collected in general pediatric (GP) and mental health (MH) settings. Screening rates were compared between visits in GP vs. MH setting and with a developmental–behavioral pediatrician (DBP) vs. visits without a DBP. Analysis of 200 charts revealed an overall 44% documentation rate of anxiety or trauma history screen. DBPs were responsible for 53 (26.5% of) cases; with DBP involvement, screening rates for anxiety or trauma rose to 77%, with significant variation by setting (OR = 5.27, p < 0.001) and clinician type (OR = 2.64, p < 0.001). Clinicians in the GP setting document screening for anxiety or trauma history significantly less often than clinicians in the MH setting. DBPs have an opportunity to improve the rate of anxiety and trauma screening when evaluating ADHD.